ONE THING
Personal Formation. Shared Life.
BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY
But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
—Isaiah 43:18–19 (NLT)
God isn’t demanding a new version of you. He’s inviting you to notice what He’s already doing.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
—Hebrews 12:1–2 (NLT)
Scripture reminds us that how we run our race is deeply connected to who we run it with.
Our individual ability to run the race of life is directly related to the witnesses we surround ourselves with.
OUR INDIVIDUAL RESOLVE
Jesus consistently invited people back to first things, not all things.
So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
—Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
ONE THING QUESTION #1 — DESIRE
What one thing do you desire from God?
The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
—Psalm 27:4 (NLT)
ONE THING QUESTION #2 — LACK
What one thing might you be lacking?
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
—Mark 10:21-22 NLT
Growth begins when we’re honest about what’s missing.
ONE THING QUESTION #3 — LETTING GO
What one thing do you need to let go of?
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
—Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Not everything we carry is wrong. Some things are just heavy.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
—Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
You cannot move forward while gripping what’s behind.
ONE THING QUESTION #4 — PROMISE
What one promise do you need to hold on to?
And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
—2 Peter 1:4 (NLT)
God’s promises don’t remove uncertainty — they steady us inside it.
PART 2 — A DIFFERENT WAY TO LIVE TOGETHER
Why Church Still Matters
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The church isn’t a place we attend — it’s a group of people shaped by grace.
Church is where what God forms in us privately becomes fruit among us publicly.
1. WE GATHER BECAUSE FORMATION NEEDS PROXIMITY
Love requires people.Forgiveness requires relationship.Growth happens in connection, not isolation.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
—Hebrews 10:24–25 (NLT)
Faith was never designed to be lived alone.
2. WE GATHER BECAUSE GRACE MAKES ROOM FOR DIFFERENCE
Church was never meant to be uniform — it was meant to be unified.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
—Philippians 2:1–5 (NLT)
Church isn’t about agreement — it’s about shared surrender.
3. WE GATHER BECAUSE LIFE IS HEAVY
Scripture never assumes life is light.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
—John 16:33 (NLT)
We are called to carry one another’s burdens.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
—Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
Church isn’t where we pretend to be strong — it’s where we don’t have to be alone.
4. WE GATHER SO HOPE CAN SPILL OUTWARD
The church exists for witness, not containment.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
—Acts 1:8 (NLT)
Community must become mission.
We are here to help establish an atmosphere of Jesus in Alvin and beyond.
RESOLUTIONS
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR THE YEAR
PERSONAL RESOLUTION
As we step into this year:
“I will not do life alone.”
I will stay connected.
I will allow formation to take time.
I will trust God’s ongoing work.
CORPORATE RESOLUTION
As a church, we resolve:
• Grace over pressure — Romans 6:14
• Belonging over obligation — Romans 12:4–5
• Unity over preference — Ephesians 4:1–3
We will live IN COMMUNITY (Acts 2:42).
We will walk IN FAMILY (Ephesians 2:19).
We will move forward IN EXPECTATION (Titus 2:13).
Additional Scriptures
Isaiah 43:18–19
Hebrews 12:1–2
Matthew 6:31–33
Psalm 27:4
Mark 10:21–22
Philippians 3:12–14
Matthew 11:28–30
2 Peter 1:4
Philippians 4:19
Isaiah 40:29
1 John 1:9
Romans 8:37–39
Acts 2:42–47
Ephesians 4:16
Hebrews 10:23–25
Philippians 2:1–5
John 16:33
Galatians 6:2
Acts 1:8
Romans 6:14
Romans 12:4–5
Ephesians 4:1–3
Ephesians 2:19
Titus 2:13
Comments are closed